WORLD
New ‘terahertz’ scanner lets mobile phones see through walls - and through clothes
Baku, May 1 (AZERTAC). Comic-book superpowers could become reality as scientists have designed a phone that works as ‘X-Ray spex.’
A hi-tech chip allows a phone to ‘see through’ walls, wood and plastics - and (although the researchers are coy about this) through fabrics such as clothing.
Doctors could also use the imagers to look inside the body for cancer tumors without damaging X-Rays or large, expensive MRI scanners.
The researchers claim it could allow DIYers to detect studs within walls, or allow businesses to detect counterfeit money.
At present, it’s designed to work over a short range - and works with a normal-sized microchip that could fit into phones or other handheld electronics.
The team’s research involves tapping into an unused range in the electromagnetic spectrum.
But the terahertz band of the electromagnetic spectrum, one of the wavelength ranges that fall between microwave and infrared, has not been accessible for most consumer devices.
‘We’ve created approaches that open a previously untapped portion of the electromagnetic spectrum for consumer use and life-saving medical applications,’ said Dr. Kenneth O, professor of electrical engineering at UT Dallas.
‘The terahertz range is full of unlimited potential that could benefit us all.’
There are also more communication channels available in terahertz than the range currently used for wireless communication, so information could be more rapidly shared at this frequency.
Terahertz can also be used for imaging to detect cancer tumors, diagnosing disease through breath analysis, and monitoring air toxicity.
‘There are all kinds of things you could be able to do that we just haven't yet thought about,’ said Dr. O, holder of the Texas Instruments Distinguished Chair.
The research was presented at the most recent International Solid-State Circuits Conference (ISSCC). The team will work next to build an entire working imaging system based on the CMOS terahertz system.